BIB requires a barrier between a program participant and rabbit. Some VRTs prefer flannel (receiving blanket type), fleece, towels, even soft pillow shams. I admit I have a weakness for any kind of blanket with a baby rabbit motif. Can't help myself! I find most of my "barriers" at garage sales, or thrift stores. I need them to machine wash easily, dry quickly, stay fresh and pretty, and soak up urine during a visit if necessary. I go through a lot of barriers......so I'm always on the lookout for affordable replacements. I prefer to "dress" my basket, rather than my bunnies, during various holidays. I choose different colors and themes depending on the time of year. I also like to decorate plain barriers with decorations that rabbits can't, or won't, chew off.

Abbr. TM A name, symbol, or other device identifying a product, officially registered and legally restricted to the use of the owner or manufacturer.

We are so excited! Bunnies in Baskets, the logo, and the phrases Visiting Rabbit Team, Visiting Rabbit Experience, and People Loving Rabbits, Rabbits Helping People are now all protected! Hop Hop Hooray!

We try to save money, but many people have asked about official BIB "stuff" lately. Although we would LOVE to order a bunch of cool "stuff", it just doesn't make $$ sense. BIB emblazoned blankets, scarves, shirts, etc......heck, we'd love our brand of hand sanitizer, tissues....that would be great, BUT VERY EXPENSIVE.

Most of our VRTs also work hard to rescue, foster, rehabilitate and provide for shelter rabbits all over the country (and Canada,too). It isn't fair to offer an expensive line of "stuff" when that money can stretch so much farther.

Our new new iron on patches (coming soon) will be a perfect compromise. They can be ironed on blankets, scarves, shirts, jackets, etc....as well as on the baskets/carriers. They are official. The matching stickers can go on hand sanitizers, tissues, and more.

It will be easy to identify a BIB VRT! We plan to sell the patches and stickers at our cost, and hopefully, everyone will buy a few. :)

I stopped at a garage sale on Friday and as I'm sorting through neat vintage items, I overhear children talking about their rabbits. I look up, and behind the house was a large hutch filled with rabbits...a mother doe and two litters. I quickly checked my "big three"---water (yes), hay and food (yes), cleanliness (not bad). "Would you consider spaying?" I asked. "Oh NO. They are meat rabbits." "Oh," I replied. I wanted to scoop all of them in that instant. I realized, however, they would quickly be replaced. I introduced myself, told the woman what I did, and she smiled. We were interrupted as a truck pulled up the long, unpaved driveway, and a tiny, crying, baby goat was handed to the woman. She instructed the driver to get the goat milk ready in a bottle. "We take in unwanted farm animals when they can't find homes," she explained, holding the shaking baby. And I sold a lady a bunch of our rabbits last week for her petting zoo. When we set up the chicken wire, they'll get to run around again." The baby goat cried, and soon three goats, a calf, two sheep and a German Shepherd stared at her from the fence.

I paid for my items, petted the baby goat's head, and took a deep breath, avoiding the rabbit hutch. Clearly, she had her hands full. "Do the rabbits get to enjoy fresh greens?". "Oh yes. The boys pick all kinds of garden stuff for them." "Good. That's good." I blinked back tears and walked to my car.

Is it better to see and feel helpless----or to avoid these situations and pretend rabbits don't live in crowded outdoor hutches and aren't eaten? I'm not sure. I'm just not sure.

The summer heat has dragged on and we all know how dangerous heat is for people and rabbits. It seems some facilities either don't have air conditioning (how can that be?) or don't use it well. Some residents may not be aware of the temperature. Everything from a person's cognitive state, medications, and overall "constitution" can be factors. I've been visiting earlier in the day when possible. I freeze a soft water bottle bag and keep it at the bottom of the basket. It's easy to slip the bag between a program participant and the rabbit for cooler cuddles. I can also "squirt" a tiny bit of cold water into my hands to comfort the rabbit or do a quick groom.

Shorter, earlier, visits and having a plan is making summer visits possible. What are your tips?Click below to read more:Warm Weather and BunniesHere's the flat water bottle (bpa free) I'm using:

Question: I'm concerned. Why do you charge so little for your registration compared to the larger organizations? $20-----how do you pay your bills?

This is a frequent question. How DO we do it---and most importantly, are the Visiting Rabbit Teams (VRTs) "getting what they pay for" in terms of comprehensive insurance coverage for visiting?

Here are our answers. We have the exact same type of coverage as the much larger AAI/AAT organizations. However, since BIB ONLY includes rabbits, the policy costs are less. We have no paid staff. We have no rent. We are so absolutely grateful for the donations we receive throughout the year that, along with fees, cover our operating costs. We operate efficiently and transparently. Most of our office supplies are either donated or purchased from resale shops. We have no loans to repay.We look at our vision and our bank account and then work to not waste a single penny.